Noteworthy
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N E W S , T I M E LY F A C T S , A N D O T H E R
CURIOSITIES
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Foster a Uke
ARTS FOR ALL’S NEWEST PROGRAM INVITES MUSIC NOVICES TO TAKE HOME A UKULELE FOR A MONTH
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icture yourself, settled in the hcrook of a big St. Francisville oak, strumming lazily away and filling the thick Louisiana air with the mellow notes of the uke. In a town known for sweet little eccentricities, such a dream is never too far away. Thanks to a gift from the Bank of St. Francisville, the nonprofit organization Arts for All was recently able to purchase fifteen ukuleles for its summer Songbird Music Camps. At the suggestion of musician and educator David Hinson, the organization decided to share the fine instruments—and the gift of music—with the larger community. Enter: the Foster a Ukulele Program.
The concept is simple. Each little uke has a name—homages to ukulele players the world over like Tiny Tim, Bonnie, Lucille, Don Ho, Blue Hawaii, and more—and anyone can apply to foster the instrument for a month at a time. Keep an ear out Felicianians; it won’t be long until the whole town is strumming away. Ukulele teacher Kat Carlson will offer a beginner’s class during the Yellow Leaf Arts Festival on October 30–31, followed by a ukulele jam session. Those interested in fostering an instrument may reach out to Lynn Wood at artsforallwestfeliciana@gmail.com. —Jordan LaHaye Fontenot
Mark Your Calendars AN OPERA, A FESTIVAL, AND AN EXHIBITION
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eptember always carries a sense of anticipation with it, ushering in cooler temps, new beginnings, and the height of our region’s arts season. That this hparticular September came with especial expections hardly needs to be said—expectations that have largely been disappointingly dashed by the recent spike in COVID-19 cases. But as always—as is evidenced throughout this issue— our arts organizations carry on. With safety in mind, we’ve earmarked three events from our calendar that piqued our interest for their historical, educational, and philanthropic impacts. From Abita Springs to Port Allen to the safety of your home, we hope to see you there. Moonshadow Festival (September 4–5): Facilitated by the nonprofit A. Glantz— which is dedicated to creating programming designed to fuel the artistic community in the Greater New Orleans area—this inaugural festival in Abita Springs joins local music performances with culinary indulgence, visual and performing arts, wellness, and environmental sustainability. The multifaceted experience will elevate creatives from the region while fostering community in the beautiful environs of rural Abita
Springs. Attendees must have proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test taken within the last seventy-two hours, or they will be required to wear a mask. Capital Trash (September 17): Have you ever heard an aria about garbage? In Opéra Louisiane’s latest creation, a mini opera presented in conjunction with Marie Constantin of the Louisiana Stormwater Coalition, Baton Rouge’s trash problem is the star of the show. Aiming to inspire locals to clean up their hometown and protect the region’s waterways, this production will be presented virtually as part of the Arts Council of Baton Rouge’s Ebb & Flow Festival. Music Behind the Gates (opens September 18): In its newest exhibition, the West Baton Rouge Museum explores the distinct art being created behind the bars of the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. The history of the infamous prison is colored by the bands created by its prisoners, the iconic songs, and story after story of how music provides solace in even the darkest places. On display through January 2022. Learn more about these events and more in our regional calendar on page 11. —Jordan LaHaye Fontenot
Fest Fest THE KREWE OF RED BEANS COMES TO THE CROWD SOURCING RESCUE, AGAIN —Jordan LaHaye Fontenot 8
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uring a normal festival hseason, the average Joe hor Josephine like you and me could only dream of hosting one of the New Orleans greats on our front porch. Imagine it: Kermit Ruffins, or the Lost Bayou Ramblers, or Cha Wa groovin’ right there in your yard, just for you and your friends. As we watch our much-anticipated
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fall festival season dissipate for a second year, the Krewe of Red Beans has once again stepped up to creatively foster a way to financially support local musicians who have lost their gigs—while also keeping the NOLA festival season spirit alive. Through the nonprofit’s latest initiative Fest Fest, Louisiana residents can donate to a fund that will be used to re-hire local
musicians originally slated to play at Jazz Fest, Festivals Acadiens et Creoles, and French Quarter Fest. Every time enough money is raised to book a band, a winner will be randomly selected from the pool of donors for a private porch or backyard pop up concert in Orleans Parish. To donate, and enter the raffle, visit festfest.org.
